How can I best configure the screens in my programming desk setup?
Promise of maximum screen area Is this:
If you want to see all relevant parts of your programming project at once, The time and mental bandwidth needed to switch between work areas is saved, which greatly increases programmer productivity.
but,
- If the screen space is too large and you end up twisting your neck every time you need to concentrate on an area outside of it, that’s a negative.
- If you’re using an ultrawide monitor that’s curved to give you more space, that can come with its drawbacks as well.
- Having too many separate monitors makes moving the cursor between monitors a pain
So where is the sweet spot?
When creating the ideal working environment for programmers, one monitor setting checks all the boxes.
- One major 27 inch monitor Centered in the focal point of the eye and has a resolution of 2560×1440 (aka) 1440p, QHDor 2k).
- two supplement 27 inch Vertical/Square LG DualUp (16:18) Monitorone on each side, tilted slightly inward.
Advantages of this screen configuration
1440p and 4k resolution makes it easy to see everything at arm’s length without scaling.You get a decent size, but it’s not Too It’s tall and the work area is right in front of you.
A 4K screen with scaling obviously looks better. However, not all software supports this, so relying on it can be a hassle. 1440p provides a good amount of real estate and looks great on a 27-inch monitor without having to worry about scaling discrepancies.
If you need more space, a vertical monitor is fine, but I don’t think you need the most space
A setup similar to this is a vertical monitor placed next to a large main screen.
However, the horizontal space is smaller. This means that it is suitable for placing a single code editor or document, but not for application windows that are wider than they are tall, or for placing two windows side by side.
Why not just one big screen?
Some programmers choose to use a single screen over 30 inches instead of multiple medium-sized monitors. This can be a regular 16:9 aspect ratio monitor, or a flat or curved (ultra) widescreen monitor. The most common resolution of these is his WQHD (3440×1440) with an aspect ratio of 43:18, or even wider and taller. .
These monitors give you the best height in terms of pixels per inch (PPI) and also give you more horizontal space.
Still, this setup has some drawbacks. That’s why this is not my most recommended coding monitor configuration.
Window management on large single screens is problematic
You may also want to divide one large monitor into different areas. There are many tile management software out there. Unfortunately, they do not work well with all operating systems. Considering you’re using these to become a more efficient programmer, this may not be the best solution.
If you decide to open an app full screen, it will spread across the entire display area, which is not only annoying but also takes time and effort to reconfigure the screen.
Even worse, if you are using your laptop to connect to the screen and for some reason have to disconnect your laptop from the screen, your location information will not be saved.
Curved monitors are good for some programmers, but not for everyone
One of the benefits of using a curved monitor in your programming monitor setup is that it provides a more immersive experience compared to a flat widescreen area.
You’ll also be able to see more content on the sides without having to move your head as much.
However, windows located in curved areas also do not look so natural. It also becomes more vulnerable to reflections from external light sources.
Some people just can’t stand looking at a curved monitor for long periods of time. May cause dizziness.
If you need to move your programming setup, ultrawide curved monitors are very inconvenient to carry and are at high risk of damage.
Last but not least, they are more expensive than flat screens. Considering the aforementioned drawbacks, you should think carefully whether to spend the extra money on a curved screen.
Dual screen setup is perfect for increasing your efficiency as a coder.
You can also choose one large screen and one small screen to recreate the optimal settings above with one less screen.
Or choose two identical, larger monitors. It gives you more overall screen real estate, but you also have to turn your head a bit if you want to focus on outer areas.
How to best set up dual monitors
If you choose this option, we recommend that you do not center it in front of you. There is no need to look directly at the bezel.
Instead, you want the main window (perhaps the IDE) to be centered and a natural focal point. The second screen is secondary and can be used for documentation, debugger, or program output.
External screen is better than coding on a solo laptop
If you’re on a budget, you can do your programming work on a regular-sized display (for example, a 24-inch model) in addition to a small laptop screen. Some tasks may still require toggling or Alt+Tab, but this setup will make you much more productive than just coding on your laptop.
Raise your laptop screen to eye level
We recommend using an external keyboard and placing your laptop on a stand so that the screen matches your monitor’s screen.
Placing this as an extension of the bottom corner is not optimal as you have to look down to focus on it.
The same goes for placing your laptop under the monitor. Yes, you can do this without using an external keyboard. However, integrated keyboards are often not ergonomic. Also, having to look down at your laptop screen not only requires you to regain focus, but it’s also not the best thing for your neck and shoulder health.
best programmer monitor models
as main screenWe recommend the Dell Ultrasharp 27-inch.⤻ͣ. It’s a sport:
- Big and beautiful QHD (2560x1440p) LED panel
- Strong construction for long life
- Variable (pivot, swivel, tilt) monitor stand for different setups
- Affordable as a 1440p version
For auxiliary monitor,LG Dual Up⤻ͣ is the ultimate option. It has a resolution of 2560×2880 and an unusual aspect ratio of 16:18. It can be used in portrait or landscape mode. Either way, you’ll have the same area as the main monitor in the center, but also more vertical and horizontal space.
The idea is to keep the debugger, software output, and documentation in the closest and most visible location. What you get when you use three identical 1440p monitors side by side.
But with LG Dual Up⤻ͣ, there’s even more space. Yes, it will be harder to see than the center of the screen. Great for use in email or messenger windows that you don’t need to check often. Think of it as bonus space. Although not required, it is convenient to have.
Alternatively, use portrait mode to view more lines of code or documents vertically.
